Citizens frustrated with civilian governments, but military rule not a viable alternative - Fayemi

Citizens frustrated with civilian governments, but military rule not a viable alternative - Fayemi

 Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti, says military rule
is not a viable alternative in tackling governance deficits in West Africa.

 

Fayemi spoke in Abuja on Friday at the opening ceremony of
the meeting of experts hosted by the Amandla Institute for Policy and
Leadership Advancement to reflect on the opportunities and challenges that have
defined West Africa’s integration journey.

 

The two-day meeting was organised in collaboration with the
African Leadership Centre, the Council for the Development of Social Science
Research in Africa (CODESRIA), and the West Africa Citizen Think Tank (WATHI).

 

While noting that poverty, inequality, governance deficits,
and insecurity have risen in West Africa, Fayemi said the challenges cannot be
effectively addressed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
in its current form.

 

 

“There is an urgent need for a new, citizen-centred approach
that responds to the real concerns of ordinary West Africans, rather than
focusing solely on the priorities of political leaders,” he said.

 

Fayemi, who is also the co-founder of the Amanda Institute,
said traditional military strategies alone are inadequate in tackling the
complex threats posed by insurgents and terrorist groups.

 

“Many of these groups are deeply embedded within communities
and even, in some cases, within the military itself,” he said.

 

 

“What is needed is a more sophisticated intelligence-based
approach, combined with efforts to address the underlying social and economic
drivers of insecurity.

 

“We need a comprehensive human security strategy that deals
with issues of poverty, inequality, and governance failures, which extremist
groups continue to exploit.

 

“While it is understandable that many citizens are
frustrated with civilian governments that have failed to deliver on governance
and security, we should also not mince words that military rule is not a viable
alternative in tackling governance deficits.

 

“History has shown that military regimes do not provide
sustainable solutions. In fact, in the three countries that have now exited
ECOWAS, terrorism and insecurity have worsened since the military took over.”

 

 

Fayemi tasked ECOWAS to engage Mali, Burkina Faso, and
Niger, who exited the regional bloc, on a pathway back to democratic
governance.

 

Omar Touray, ECOWAS Commission president, said coups in the
last years have threatened the bloc’s values of democracy and security.

 

Touray, represented by Abdufatah Musah, commissioner for
political affairs, peace and security, said ECOWAS needed “deep introspection
and honest self-assessment” on a way forward for effective regional
integration.

Source: Citizens frustrated with civilian governments, but military rule not a viable alternative - Fayemi

 - NigerianEye
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